Name: Andy Carson Date: Wednesday, April 22nd
Student Exploration: Cell Division
TRY AND USE A DIFFERENT COLOURED FONT WHILE COMPLETING THIS LAB. WHEN YOU ARE
FINISHED THE GIZMO, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIVE QUESTION QUIZ
...
Name: Andy Carson Date: Wednesday, April 22nd
Student Exploration: Cell Division
TRY AND USE A DIFFERENT COLOURED FONT WHILE COMPLETING THIS LAB. WHEN YOU ARE
FINISHED THE GIZMO, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIVE QUESTION QUIZ AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
PAGE. IT WILL BE INCLUDED IN YOUR MARK.
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. Cells reproduce by splitting in half, a process called cell division. What do cells need to do between
divisions to make sure that they don’t just get smaller and smaller?
2. The genetic information of a cell is carried in its DNA (short for deoxyribonucleic acid). What do cells
need to do between divisions to make sure that a full set of DNA gets passed on to each daughter
cell?
Gizmo Warm-up
On the SIMULATION pane of the Cell Division Gizmo, check that the Cycle
Length is set to 12 hours. Click Play ( ), observe until the maximum
number of cells is shown, and then click Pause ( ).
1. Do all the cells look the same?
2. Cells that are in the process of dividing are said to be in mitosis or
cytokinesis. Cells that are not dividing are in interphase.
Check the Magnify box and move the cursor over the cells.
A. Of the 100 cells shown, how many are in the process of dividing?
B. Select the BAR CHART tab, and turn on Show numerical values. How many cells are in the
interphase stage of their life cycle?
C. Based on these two observations, would you say that a cell spends most of its life cycle in
interphase or in mitosis/cytokinesis?
Phases of the cell
cycle
Get the Gizmo ready:
● Click Reset ( ).
● Select the DESCRIPTION tab.
● Click on the right arrow once so that Interphase is shown.
1. Observe: Click Play and hold the cursor over the cell. Observe the cell as it divides several times.
(This happens quickly!) What do you notice happening during this process?
2. Summarize: On the DESCRIPTION pane, read about each phase in the cell cycle. In the spaces
below, sketch the cell in each phase and summarize what occurs IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
Phase Picture Summary
Interphase
Prophase
Metaphase
Anaphase
Telophase
Cytokinesis
3. Analyze: Use your summaries and the Gizmo to answer the following questions:
A. What are the four phases of mitosis?
B. What is the role of the centrioles?
C. A cell has a single line of chromosomes. What is the phase?
D. During which phase is the DNA duplicated?
E. What is the relationship between chromatin and chromosomes?
F. In which phase does a new nuclear membrane develop
G. In which phase are chromatids pulled apart?
H. During which three phases are individual chromosomes no longer visible?
4. Think and discuss: Why is it important that a cell both grows and duplicates its DNA before cell
division?
5. Extend your thinking: What do you think would happen if a cell made an error copying its DNA during
interphase?
6. Challenge: Human cells have 46 chromosomes. Each chromosome consists of a pair of identical
chromatids attached together by a structure called a centromere. Once the chromosome has split,
each chromatid is called a daughter chromosome. At the end of cytokinesis, how many daughter
chromosomes will be found in each cell? Explain.
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